Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area Making a Stovebolt Bed Any Comments on Repro Truck Bed parts?

I have a question regarding reproduction truck bed parts for 1941 Chevrolet and GMC 1/2 tons. I know a lot of parts company offer parts to completely build a new bed, but they're fronts for one company that makes them. My question is how good are these parts? I have a very marginal original bed that will require a lot of straigtening, patch welding, etc, in order to make half way presentable. What experiences does anyone out there have with reproduction parts? Do they fit together decently? Do they look like they should? What shortcomings do they have?

I already posted about my experience with repro emergency brake cables (could have been a better one), so I would like to see if anyone out there has anything to say.

Charles,
I have only a single experience with a replacement bed for my '37 Chevy 1/2 ton and that is with Mar-K. My original bed was pretty beat up so I ordered the bed and bed wood. The bed was very well done, down to the location of spot welds. Much later I discovered that it doesn't have bases for the bedside pockets like later beds. I don't know if the original had them or not since I don't have it anymore. I went with pine wood since I was painting it black like the original truck had. The wood was gorgeous with no knots or flaws at all and it almost seemed a shame to cover it up but cover I did. Everything went together real well including the mounting bolts through the truck frame. I highly recommend them. Also, made in America.

Kent

Mar-K = Made in America!

The main difference between a factory bed and a Mar-K is the Mar-K is BETTER.

I know my mar-k tailgate’s spotwelds are so much nicer than the stockers. The stock ones are all over the place along the seams, whereas the MAR-K gate’s are centred and evenly spaced along the whole length. I second Coilover (in regards to their gates anyways).

My 1 ton bed wood and strips/hardware were top notch as well.

One thing I’m curious about is what the reviews will be when they start selling a lot of the 67-72 bed sides. The site says “Mar-K approved product.” What? I wonder if this is an offshore product? 🤔 I contacted them about this and was told it’s checked and approved, but they didn’t actually tell me it was Made in the USA. 🤔🤔

I don’t doubt the other parts are built here at home, but I don’t know if anyone on this side of the Pacific is building these 67-72 bed sides in house. I’m watching these for sure.

If I recall correctly from the Oklahoma Bolters tour of the facility last year, we were told the 67-72 bed sides were indeed not USA manufactured. They are supposed to be quality checked before shipping. Just what that means I don’t know. I wouldn’t think they would want to compromise their integrity. 🛠

I second Mar-K..... I would prefer Made in the USA however there product was 100% fit controlled with superior customer service. I purchased the entire bed at a free shipping period. I also purchased
a louvered roll pan bed bolts another time all at great prices. As Martin stated above I don't believe they would compromise their integrity. Have fun and good luck
Dan